Assessment of Different Accessions of the Hausa Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius (Poir) J. K. Morton) for Productivity in Jos-plateau Environment

The Hausa potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius (Poir) J. K. Morton) is a tropical, multipurpose crop with different uses. Its productivity is, however, limited by a lack of balance between source potential and sink capacity. This results in generally low yields in all the cultivated varieties. Consequently, many farmers have abandoned its cultivation, thereby endangering the perpetuity of the crop. This study was, therefore, designed to screen different accessions of the Hausa potato for productivity in the Jos-Plateau environment, Nigeria. The nine accessions (Manchok 1, Manchok 2, Bokkos 1, Bokkos 2, Bikka-Baban, Mujir, NRCRI, (White), Tukwak and Langtang) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with five (5) replications. Results show that percentage emergence, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, days to flowering, number of flowers per plant, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and stand count varied with accession. Tuber length, tuber girth, root-top ratio, mean tuber weight, dry matter content and total tuber yield also varied with accession. The study demonstrates that with a proper understanding of the physiology of yield, there is prospect for improving the productivity of the Hausa potato in the Jos-Plateau environment.